General Hospital
GH’s Genie Francis Addresses Laura’s Controversial Storyline From the Past
During ABC’s Winter Press Tour for the Television Critics Association (TCA) in Pasadena, California, several of the stars of General Hospital along with head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor and series executive producer, Frank Valentini, took part in a panel discussion as part of the GH’s upcoming 60th anniversary milestone celebration.
Throughout the panel, the cast and creatives fielded questions from the press. At one point, Genie Francis (Laura) was asked about GH’s representation of social issues over the decades, and about the controversial rape of Laura by Luke (Tony Geary) back in 1979.
Photo: ABC
As GH viewers know, Luke, who believed he was going to be killed by mobster Frank Smith, and had fallen for Laura, danced with with her at the Campus Disco to Herb Alpert’s Rise. Luke, eventually forced himself on Laura and raped her. However, later GH wrote the enduring love story of Luke and Laura, and the event was left murky in the storytelling including at one point having it called a “seduction”.
Francis addressed the issue head on telling reporters: “You mentioned the date-rape issue. I had a feeling I was going to be asked about that. You know, as a young kid at 17, I was told to play rape, and I played it. I didn’t even know what it was. But, at 17, you follow the rules, and you do as you are told, and you aim to please. At 60, I don’t feel the need to defend that anymore, you know. I think that the story was inappropriate, and I don’t condone it. And it’s been a burden that I’ve had to carry to try to justify that story, and so I’m not doing that anymore. I think, when a woman says ‘No,’ that she should be listened to, and if you replay that scene, you don’t have Laura just saying ‘No.’ You have her screaming ‘No.”
As to the current writing and portrayal of Laura Collins, the Daytime Emmy-winning TV icon shared: “I feel very, very fortunate to have this new reinvented Laura. I love who she is in the present day. She was such a victim as a young woman, and to see it flip around and have her be fully empowered, this powerful woman who is the mayor of the town. She doesn’t take crap from anyone. She’s a strong woman. She’s a good role model for other women. But I love my Laura today. I loved my Laura then too, but this is where it needed to go.”
What do you think about Genie’s response to the long-standing controversial rape storyline? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Well Genie I agree we are still doing it Y&R writing a love story between rapist Chelsea and Her victim Billy. The worst part is Jason Thompson trying to defend it. But Y&R stinks so bad no way that show recovering NONE.
Kay
That was so long ago, I don’t know if we actually saw that happen, but Billy had to have participated or no Johnny.
Remembering many years ago Tricia Dennison, a real loony tunes drugged Victor with Roofies and Viagra and raped him and she set it up claiming he raped and assaulted her, but with the Newman luck he got himself cleared but that was a good story, I wonder how many fans remember that SL?
DOOL did it with Sami/EJ and turned them into a supercouple, a la Luke/Laura. It was disgusting. EJ raped her, and she fell in love with him. WTH? Outside of that relationship, I actually do like EJ. The whole EJ/Abby affair when James Scott and Kate Mansa were playing the roles was so soapy and hot. What a missed opportunity not letting it really go anywhere. It’s just the EJ/Sami relationship that is problematic. He RAPED her. That shouldn’t have been glorified or romanticized and turned into a supercouple, just because they were both attractive. I will never forgive DOOL for having Sami fall in love with her rapist. It’s like soaps haven’t learned ANYTHING since Luke/Laura. I am SO glad Genie is speaking out.
Amen Genie Francis.
Is there video of this panel anywhere?
I loved Genie’s answer about the rape. It’s disgusting that a 17 year old was made to play a rape scene by the people running the show at the time. I’m not even sure how something like that was allowed to happen. Thank god we’ve evolved as a people since then.
I bet Genie is beyond tired of having to answer questions about this after all these years. It’s like that moment is the only thing that has ever happened to her character in 43 years. Hopefully everyone can move on.
And bravissima to Genie for being unwilling to play along, any longer, with the rewrite. I saw the original scene, and I remember it exactly as Genie does–and yet over the years I’ve begun to feel gaslighted because of the insistence that I didn’t see what I know I saw. I really appreciate Genie’s validation of that.
And like her, I’m really pleased at who Laura has become. And grateful–because whenever they give her the material, GF really delivers. She is a force of nature. I’m sure she always was, but as she sort of said, most of her early storylines were about Laura as victim. This version is a lot more interesting.
As for why she was made to play that scene four decades ago–well, Gloria Monty. I remember Marland said in an interview that he had objected (strenuously) to the storyline, and that’s part of the reason he was fired. Monty really wanted it, so that’s the story that was written–but somebody above her should have put a stop to it. The whole incident does speak volumes about attitudes toward rape and how they’ve changed since 1979. I can’t recall a single soul, at the time, expressing any reservations at all about ABC’s having foisted a rape storyline on a 17-year-old actress. (Maybe the reservations were there, but they were never aired publicly, if so.) Other reservations were expressed, but they were very muted, because the ratings continued to go up. I do remind myself, when I think about it, that in 1979, spousal rape had only been a thing for a few years (I don’t remember exactly when the marital rape laws were enacted, but it hadn’t been that long before), so it’s not surprising in that context that there could still be questions about whether rape was rape. Still, an appalling episode in our country’s warped history regarding sex and power, and I think the fact that we still have to talk about it NOW speaks volumes about all the things we should have said about it, as a cultural phenomenon, in 1979 (and since) and didn’t. (And I’ll just add, from roughly the same age perspective as Genie’s–I was 19 when the rape scenes aired and am 62 now–I’m utterly aghast, in retrospect, at what an appalling, confusing message the whole thing sent to the young men and women of the time. Ugh.)
Michael (not Fairman)…some like you may remember, but another example of an over-the-top sex scene was between Carly and Sonny when they first got together. Not needed either, or conveniently forgotten.
Thanks for the reply and the context, Michael (not Fairman). You go back much longer than me as a viewer, so I appreciate the insight!
I remember seeing the rape scene for the first time years later, and just how dirty and disgusting it made me feel. The disco lights flashing, Herb Alpert’s song “Rise” playing in the background, the way Laura screamed “NO!” Just hideous, hideous stuff.
I’ve always heard such good things about Gloria Monty as an executive producer and about how she saved the show. But to know that she was the one responsible for pushing that storyline, it honestly makes me think a lot less of her as a person. As well as the powers that be at ABC at the time for allowing it to happen.
I watched G H until that scene then stopped. I agree with Gene’s statement. Todays climate would not allow that scene to be shot. Our judgment was different back then. I admire her as a women and Actor.
How many prople remember that prior to the rape 16 year old Laura was seduced by her stepfathers 40 + year old best friend and that she later murdered him when she found out he only slept with her to get revenge on her stepfather. Laura was in therapy for the murder when she was raped by Luke another age inappropriate male. Very toxic time with storylines that would never play out today. Imagine teenage Genie Francis in high school having to play these scenes. I recall the late John Berandino the patriarch of the show as one of the few denouncing the Luke and Laura rape storyline at the time but he was sort of run over by the Luke and Laura hype.
As I recall, GH revisited that story line in recent years and actually showed Luke and Laura having an adult discussion about it and Luke admitting he was wrong and had raped her.
I remember the storyline and even then as a young man questioned the reformed rapist turn, a trope still employed. I applaud redemption in characters but this approach still bothers me. The lens of today really puts it a more negative light. I am thrilled Ms Francis and Laura Collins remain on canvas I meaningful ways. I always wanted Laura to be forefront, a pillar. The series has shifted with so many new characters, what legacy we have needs to be cherished.
It was the storyline that made me decide not to watch GH until GL, ATWT and OLTL were taken off the air. I thought the Luke and Laura hype was not warranted. I was a Laura and Scotty fan. I still am. The Christmas 2022 scenes between them and Eliabeth showed such history between the two characters and actors too.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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